System and method for managing images over a communication network

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and software product for managing digital images. A server is provided for controlling access to a user image storage device having at least one digital image file of an image. The server has a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of user computers wherein at least one of the user computers having the at least one digital image file. A software program permits automatic controlled access to the at least one digital image file on the user computer by a third party and monitors access by the third party without any further authorization by the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Ser. No. 09/892,042, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK”; now U.S. Pat.No. 7,124,191;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/891,751, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “A METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK”;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/891,474, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK”;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/891,546, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR ASSISTING IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AN IMAGE DATABASE OVER ACOMMUNICATION NETWORK”; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,122;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/892,043, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK USING USERPROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS”; now abandoned.

U.S. Ser. No. 09/891,543, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “A METHOD FORMANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK”; now U.S. Pat. No.6,995,789;

U.S. Ser. No. 09/891,562, filed Jun. 26, 2001, entitled “AN ELECTRONICCAMERA AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL OVER A COMMUNICATIONNETWORK”; now U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,111.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to automatically managing digitalimage files over a communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are many providers of online imaging services. One suchexample is the Kodak PhotoNet Online service offered by the EastmanKodak Company. In such a system, a user must select a photofinishingorder option on the film processing envelope that includes thedigitization and uploading of the high resolution film images to asecure website where they are stored. Upon receiving and paying for theprinted photofinishing order, the user receives a coupon that includesinformation for accessing the digital images on the website.Subsequently, the user must return to their home and using a computerwith a conventional Internet browser must navigate to the websiteindicated by the coupon. Upon arrival at the website and entry of thesupplied information, the user finally is able to view their digitalimages.

At this point, the user can electronically share their images with thirdparties. Depending on the skill of the user, they can choose to senddigitized images as image file attachments via electronic mail. Thisentails knowing the electronic address of those third parties which isusually stored and managed by a different software application on theuser's computer. Furthermore, image file attachments can cause anelectronic mailbox to exceed a predetermined storage capacity especiallyif the user desires to share several images.

Another method of electronically sharing that attempts to solve thedilemma of sharing several images involves, sending an electronic linkembedded in an electronic mail message that when clicked by thereceiver, causes the receiving computer to locate and access the websitecontaining the entire digitized order. A problem with this method isthat the receiver must have an Internet browser that is compatible withthe electronic mail application to automatically launch the internetbrowser to the site of the digitized images. Furthermore, the receivermust enter information to view the images at the site. Access must alsobe given for each and every film order processed and uploaded.

If the user desires to retrieve a copy of the digitized image for use ontheir own computer, they can encounter additional problems. For example,the user must follow several time consuming steps that often incur anadditional charge or fee beyond the initial photofinishing order fee, toretrieve the high resolution image file that is stored at the onlinephotoservice provider. In other cases some photoservice providers do notallow the user to download the high resolution image file at all.

Another common service provided by online photoservice providers is theability for a user to use a computer to upload a digitized image alreadyin the possession of the user such as image files created by a scanner,a digital camera, or a digitized film product such as the PictureCD™produced by the Eastman Kodak Company. These online photoserviceproviders store high resolution image files uploaded by users typicallyfor producing printed images. Electronically sharing of these images issimilar to those being placed at a website automatically by aphotofinisher and similar problems are encountered by a user using sucha service. The user must, for example, take the time to upload each andevery image that he or she wishes to print or electronically share.

Another disadvantage with prior art systems is that the owner of theimage often loses control of the high resolution image as this istypically stored at the service provider. Additionally, it is alsoundesirable to keep an entire copy of the high resolution images at aservice provider as charges are often associated with such storage. Inaddition if the service provider loses the image it can be verydifficult to regain the original high resolution image. It is thereforedesirable to be able to restore the high resolution images at the usercomputer.

In situations where the high resolution images are stored on usercomputer memory storage devices, such as a hard drive, there exists thepossibility of a memory failure with respect to the stored images. Thus,there is also a need to be able to provide a system to assist inreestablishing the high resolution images at the user computer withlittle or no cost to the user in the event of a failure of a user memorystorage device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda system for managing digital images, comprising:

a server for allowing controlled access to a user image storage devicehaving at least one digital image file of an image, the server having acommunication system capable of communicating with a plurality of usercomputers, at least one of the user computers having the at least onedigital image file, a software program for controlling access to the atleast one digital image file, the software program for permittingautomatic access to the at least one digital image file on the usercomputer by a third party and monitoring access by the third partywithout any further authorization by the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a computer software product for managing digital images storedon a user computer, the software product comprising a computer readablestorage medium having a computer program which when loaded into the usercomputer causes the computer to perform the following steps of:

allowing controlled access by a service provider to the digital imagefiles stored on the user computer, the provider having a communicationsystem capable of communicating with a plurality of different devices,the software program using an electronic data file for permittingautomatic access to the at least one digital image file by a third partyand monitoring access by the third party without any furtherauthorization by the user.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for monitoring access to digital image files on a usercomputer by third parties over a communication network by serviceprovider, comprising the steps of:

allowing controlled access by third parties to the digital image fileson the user computer;

monitoring access by the third parties to the digital image files;

reporting the access by the third parties to the user.

In still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided asystem for managing digital images, comprising:

a server for allowing controlled access to a user image storage devicehaving at least one digital image file of an image, the server having acommunication system capable of communicating with a plurality of usercomputers, at least one of the user computers having the at least onedigital image file, a software program for controlling access to the atleast one digital image file, the software program for permittingautomatic access to the at least one digital image file by a third partyand monitoring access by the third party without any furtherauthorization by the user.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andappended claims and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention presented below, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system made in accordance with thepresent invention showing the relationship of a user desiring to sharedigital images with a third party as permitted by a service provider;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart which shows the steps in creating a user accountand image storage file in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart which shows the steps in automatically sharingdigital images with an authorized third party in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship of a filmprocessing photofinisher desiring to download digitized film images witha user as permitted by a service provider;

FIG. 5 is a modified system made in accordance with the presentinvention showing the relationship of a user desiring to share digitalimages with a third party as permitted by a service provider;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart which shows the steps of the method of operationof the system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart which shows the steps of another method ofoperation of the system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart which shows another method of sharing imagesusing the system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows yet another method of sharing imagesusing the system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 a is partial view of a display screen illustrating an image fromwhich an image content identifier is obtained;

FIG. 10 b is an enlarged view of the image content identifier of FIG. 10a;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of still another method of operation of thesystem of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart which illustrates the process of tracking anindividual low resolution image file used to produce goods and/orservices;

FIG. 13 is a chart illustrating an example of one way revenues can bedistributed among various parties;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method for restoring a high resolutionimage on a user device;

FIG. 15 is another modified system made in accordance with the presentinvention showing the relationship of a user desiring to share digitalimages with a third party as permitted by a service provider;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating another method of operation of thesystems of FIGS. 1, 5 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a screen shot of a display screen showing an image and anelectronic instruction/order form.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another method of operation of thesystems of FIGS. 1, 5 and 15;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an electronic camera 23;

FIG. 20 depicts a rear view of the electronic camera incorporating thefeatures of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a method of using the electronic camera ofFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows a flow chart that illustrates another method of operationof the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 23 illustrates a flow chart which shows another method of operationof the system of FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a system 18 made in accordancewith the present invention. System 18 includes a user computer 10operably connected through a communication service provider (CSP) 20 anda communication network 50 (such as the Internet) to a service provider80. Also included in system 18 is a third party computer 16 operablyconnected to the communication network 50 and service provider 80 via aCSP 22. User computer 10 is also operably connected to an electroniccamera 12 and a storage drive 14. The electronic camera 12 can be adigital still camera such as the Kodak DC280 digital camera manufacturedby the Eastman Kodak Company or it can be a digital motion camera suchas the Kodak MC3 portable multimedia device which records motion andsound in addition to still capture and sound reproduction. For thesimplification of discussion, digital images originally created byeither digital still, digital motion electronic cameras, or by scanningfilm, will be referred to as high resolution image files. Likewise, lowresolution files are formed from the high resolution image files bysub-sampling, which in the case of digital still image files, involvesreducing the number of image pixels and effectively lowering theresolution. Such low-resolution, or “thumbnail” size images, can becreated as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831“ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA PROVIDING MULTI-FORMAT STORAGE OF FULL ANDREDUCED RESOLUTION IMAGES” to Kuchta, et. al., the disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference. In the case of digital motionfiles, low resolution files can include the discarding of frames and/orpixels within a frame. Such techniques are well known in the art andfacilitate the transportation of images across any communication network50 such as the Internet.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the storage drive 14 isillustrated as being removable. However the present invention is notlimited to such a configuration. For example, the storage drive 14 canbe an integral part of user computer 10 and can use removable storagemedia (not shown). The electronic camera 12 can connect to the usercomputer 10 via a cable employing a common interface such as a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) interface. Alternatively, electronic camera 12 canconnect to the user computer 10 in a wireless mode employing any numberof conventional interfaces such as the radio frequency standard commonlydescribed by Bluetooth™ Specification V1.0 or Wireless Personal AreaNetwork IEEE Standard 802.15. Likewise, removable storage drive 14 isoperably connected to user computer 10 and permits the storage of highresolution image files such as digital still or digital motion imagesand associated metadata that can, for example, further include audioinformation. For the purposes of the present invention, an image mediafile includes a digital image file (high or low resolution) and can alsoinclude additional data such as associated audio or metadata. The userselects the location for the storage of the high resolution image mediafiles either internally to the user computer 10 or on removable storagedrive 14, such as computer disc, CD, etc. In general, high resolutionimage media files can be arranged in a user storage file such as adatabase.

The user computer 10 is provided with appropriate software for allowingcontrolled access to a high resolution image media collection, such as adatabase, stored on memory storage device 14. The high resolution imagemedia collection comprises at least one high resolution image media fileand as previously discussed can include associated digital data. A lowresolution copy of each high resolution digital image file along withany associated meta data/information (the combination of both fileshereinafter referred to as the user low resolution image collection) iselectronically sent to the service provider 80 for storage at theservice provider 80 and is associated with the user. One way in which animage can be associated with a user is the addition of metadata to theimage media files(s) that reflects a specific user identifier such as auser account number, a user provided identifier with any combination ofalphanumeric characters, or any other construct in the form of metadata.Another form of association with the user can be accomplished bycreating a storage system that allocates file storage based on a useridentifier such as a relational database. This association creates a lowresolution user image collection of the digital image files at theservice provider 80. While the digital image files and associated datafiles can be forwarded by the user, these files can be automaticallyretrieved by the service provider 80. For example, the user has adatabase identified for access by the service provider 80. The serviceprovider 80 can automatically, on a routine schedule, determine if theuser computer 10 is available over the communication network 50. If theuser computer 10 is available for communication, the service provider 80will then automatically review the database on the user computer 10where the high resolution media files are stored to determine if any newdigital image files or associated files have been added to the database.If new files have been added or changed, then a low resolution imagefile is formed for each new image and data changes are appropriatelycommunicated to the service provider 80 for storage and association withthe user low resolution image collection.

As previously discussed, in addition to the low resolution images storedat the service provider 80, there can be stored various otherdata/information related to these images. This information can be usedto identify who can have access to the low resolution image andinformation that describes the content of the images. In addition, thisinformation can include information relating to the data storagestructure of the high resolution images stored on image storage device14. The data storage structure information includes parameters thatreflect the storage locations of the high resolution image media fileson the physical media such as track and sector information associatedwith hard disk memory architecture. This information can be used toassist in the rebuilding of a damaged directory in the event of afailure of storage device 14 and can be automatically updated on aroutine communication interval by the service provider 80. Oftentimes,damaged directories on hard disks can render a disk drive unreadablewhen the actual file data is still valid. Software running on the usercomputer 10 such as the commercially available Norton Utilities offeredby Symantec Inc. can restore the accessibility of high resolution imagemedia files using the data storage structure information related to thelow resolution image media files stored by service provider 80 as laterdiscussed herein with respect to FIG. 14. Service provider 80 canprovide this additional service for a fixed or recurring fee. This canprovide valuable assistance in reconstructing damaged digital imagefiles on user computer 10.

Further information can be provided to the service provider 80 forassisting in identifying content of the images and/or individuals thatcan have access to the images. For example, an image icon 202, such asillustrated in FIG. 10 b can be used as a content identifier to firstidentify content of images forwarded to the service provider 80. In theembodiment illustrated, the image icon 202 is in the form of the face ofan individual taken from image 206 of FIG. 10 a. Thus face recognitionsoftware programs, such as described in co-pending U.S. pending patentapplication entitled A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CATALOGING IMAGES, of JohnR. Squilla and Dale Fredrick McIntyre, Ser. No. 09/640,938, filed Aug.17, 2000 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference, canbe used to review the images to be forwarded and identify the imageswith such content identifiers. When such images are identified, theidentification information is recorded as metadata and stored inassociation with that image. The identification information can be usedto identify who can view this image at the service provider 80 or evenprovide an automatic forwarding of the image to a specified individual.While the images can be automatically analyzed for such information, theuser can also specify that a particular icon 202 be associated with aparticular image.

While the icon 202 has been shown for use in identifying otherindividuals found within digital images to which said images are to beforwarded, the present invention is not so limited. The icon 202 canalso be used to identify images that the user wishes to be sent to him.For example, the icon 202 can represent the face of the user and thatwhen the icon 202 is sent to a third party it can be used to identifyimages that include the user. The icon 202 can also be provided withinformation, such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) address, wherethe image is to be sent. The icon 202 can be sent to specific thirdparties wherein the third party would provide consent to have theirimages reviewed for forwarding to the user who provides the icon 202.The service provider 80, upon request from the user providing the icon202, can search the low resolution image collections of other users foroccurrences of the icon 202 applied to their images. Upon finding imagesof other users that have applied the icon 202 of the user providing theicon 202, service provider 80 can automatically forward these images tothe user providing the icon 202. Furthermore, service provider 80 keepsa log or record of the other users who have used the icon 202 providedby the user. Thus the service provider can monitor access and/or use ofdigital media files associated with the icon 202. When the user updatestheir icon 202, for example, when their appearance changes due to aging,modifications to hair style or color, modifications to facial hair etc.,service provider 80 automatically updates the icon 202 for those usersfound in the log associated with the use of the specific updated icon202. The updated icon 202 can replace the existing icon 202 or it can besimply added to the database of icons 202. Allowing the two icons 202 tocoexist permits the recognition of high resolution image files that canbe scanned and provided at a substantially later date. The icon 202 canalso be used to access public sites that have images that can be usedfreely or for a price. While the icon 202 has been described asrecognizing images containing a particular individual, the icon 202 canrepresent any theme, for example, any sports, hobby, or item. Imagesthat have been identified with any such theme can be automaticallyforwarded by service provider 80 to the image collection of a specialinterest group that a user may belong to. Such preferences forforwarding are stored at service provider 80 as previously discussed.

Further information such as loyalty points can be associated with theuser by the service provider 80 in response to interactions with thesystem 18 or the system 200 (FIG. 5). For the purpose of the presentinvention, loyalty points shall be considered discounts, credits orother value assessed on behalf of the user which are credited toward thepurchase or sale of goods and/or services. For example, a user whoshares at least one of the low resolution image media files with anauthorized third party, can earn loyalty points from service provider80, if the authorized third party orders image based goods and/orservices from service provider 80 that are derived from the shared lowresolution image media files. Service provider 80 can award more pointsto a user who shares with an authorized third party that doesn'tcurrently have an existing relationship with service provider 80.Incentives, in this case, are placed on encouraging additional users todevelop relationships with service provider 80. To award loyalty points,service provider 80 can maintain a log or record of all accesses toimages maintained in a user's image collection. This arrangement has theadded benefit of providing a tracking mechanism in the event that anauthorized third party misuses an image file provided by a user. Loyaltypoints can be redeemed at service provider 80 or fulfillment provider 70for image related goods and/or services. See FIG. 12 for a more completedescription of this operation.

Another process of earning loyalty points will be discussed later withrespect to FIG. 18 and can include authorized third parties performingextended services such as cataloging by matching the user's contentidentifiers to the user's digital images to be cataloged. Rewarding anauthorized third party with loyalty points for matching the user'scontent identifiers to the user's images relieves service provider 80from the image processing burden.

Service provider 80 includes a server 82 for interfacing with thecommunications network 50 such as the Internet or a virtual privatenetwork (VPN). In addition to interfacing to the communications network50, server 82 transfers information to computer system 86 which managesinformation associated with various users. Computer system 86 includesan account manager 84 which is software operating in accordance with theinvention to permit the creation and management of individual useraccounts. Information associated with user accounts is stored inrelational database(s) 88. User account information includes personalinformation such as name and address, billing information such as creditcard information, network information such as personal electroniclocation information and authorization information which controls accessto the user's images by third parties. Also associated with useraccounts are relational database(s) 88 which store low resolution userimage files, related metadata and other information relevant toproviding services to the user. One such example, but not by way oflimitation, is a defect and directory map of the user's physical storagedevice to aid in the recovery of damaged image media files stored on thestorage device 14.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is fulfillment provider 70 which providesimage-based goods and/or services to users and third parties.Fulfillment provider 70 includes a fulfillment web server 72, a digitalprinter 78 and a fulfillment computer system 76 that further includes acommerce manager 74 and a fulfillment manager 75. Fulfillment requestsreceived from service provider 80, user computer 10 or third partycomputer 16 are handled by commerce manager 74 initially before handingthe requests off to the fulfillment manager 75. The fulfillment manager75 determines which equipment is used to fulfill the ordered good(s)such as a digital printer 78. After fulfillment, the ordered goods arereturned to the ordering party by a delivery means for example, but notby way of limitation, a transportation vehicle 68.

In order to better understand the present invention, a description ofthe operation of the system 18 will be discussed. FIG. 2 is a flow chartof the operation of the system 18. In the first step 30, the userestablishes an account with the service provider 80. As a part ofestablishing an account, various information is provided, for example,but not limited to, name, address, electronic address, credit cardinformation, names of individuals or business establishments that havepermission to access image media files, names of any particular files ofgrouped images and authorized viewer, the type of access granted, nameof a preferred fulfillment service provider for the providing of goodsand/or services and automatic forwarding instructions per selectedcriteria. It is of course to be understood that any other relevantinformation and/or instructions can be provided as desired or that whichthe service provider is cable of providing. In the next step 32, theuser identifies or establishes the high resolution media collection. Inthe next step 34, low resolution digital image files are formed from thehigh resolution digital image files in the collection and are forwardedto the service provider 80 along with any appropriate associated datafiles (user low resolution image collection) over the communicationnetwork 50. At the next step 36, the verification that the serviceprovider 80 has received the low resolution media files is completed. Ifthe transfer of the low resolution media collection was not successful,the user is advised of this non-successful transmission in step 38 andrepeats the transmission of the low resolution media collection in step34 until successful. Upon successful receipt of the low resolution mediacollection, the service provider 80 at step 40 creates a low resolutionmedia collection where these low resolution media collections are storedand associated with the user.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a flow chart of one way inwhich the media files stored at the service provider 80 can be used. Instep 40, the instructions previously provided by the user are reviewedand implemented. For example, if a third party has been designated toautomatically receive selected media files as identified, these mediafiles will be forwarded over the communication network 50 to thedesignated third party at step 42. As illustrated by FIG. 1, this can bea third party computer 16. Alternatively, the selected media files canbe forwarded to a fulfillment provider 70 location for fulfillment of aservice or product, such as producing a print for delivering to adesignated individual from a fulfillment provider 70. While thefulfillment provider 70 can use the low resolution media file for thefulfilling of the requested goods and/or services, often, thefulfillment provider 70 needs the high resolution digital image. In suchcase, the provider 80 can directly access the high resolution filesdirectly from the user or have them provided through the serviceprovider 80. Typically the fulfillment provider 70 comprises a facilityfor printing or producing images from digital media files that have beenprovided by users and delivering them to designated locations. However,the fulfillment provider 70 can deliver any goods or services that theyare capable of providing. For example, but not by way of limitation, thegoods can include T-shirts, mugs, cakes, or any other goods or servicesthat incorporate images provided by the user.

In another form of the present invention, at step 44 a third party canaccess the low resolution image collection over the communicationnetwork 50 using third party computer 16. Optionally in Step 46, theservice provider 80 can produce and transmit a report to the user thatmonitor the details of which media files were shared or accessed bywhich third parties.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a flow chart representing aprocess used by service provider 80 for automatically updating the lowresolution image collection associated with a user during a regular andperiodic update or replication procedure. At an agreed upon routinecommunication interval, service provider 80 establishes a connectionwith user computer 10 (step 52). The connection can either beestablished by the user computer 10 initiating communication or by theservice provider 80 initiating the communication. The service provider80 then checks to see if the high resolution image collection has beenmodified (step 54). Modifications to the high resolution imagecollection can include the addition or modification of at least oneimage media file, additions and/or modifications to metadata,modifications to the user account information such as the addition ordeletion of authorized third parties, or any other desired changes tothe user account information. Once this information has been obtained,service provider 80 makes the appropriate changes (step 56) to the useraccount and/or low resolution image collection. Relational database(s)88 are updated with the updated information. If no modifications to thehigh resolution image collection are detected (step 54), the serviceprovider 80 concludes the communication in step 58.

Turning now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a modified system 200 madein accordance with the present invention. System 200 is similar tosystem 18 with like numerals indicating like parts and operation aspreviously discussed. In system 200, a photofinisher 90 is provided forprocessing of photographic film 92. It should be noted that thephotofinisher 90 can be a retail establishment by itself or operating inassociation with a wholesale photofinishing establishment. In theparticular embodiment illustrated, the photofinisher 90 includes a filmprocessor 94 for developing of the images on photographic film 92. Afilm scanner 96 is provided for scanning of images formed on theprocessed film for obtaining high resolution digital image files thatare forwarded to a memory device 98 as high resolution image files. Thephotofinisher 90 also includes an appropriate computer 100 for managingof the various equipment and various operations of the photofinishingsystem. One such operation is the attachment of metadata to the highresolution image file that identifies the specific photofinisher via apre-assigned unique business identifier. In the case where thephotofinisher 90 is a wholesale photofinisher operating in associationwith a retailer, separate business identifiers are attached as metadatato the high resolution image media files linking both wholesalephotofinisher and retailer to the specific photographic film 92 and theprocessed images associated therewith. Another operation of computer 100is the providing of information to a server 102 for communicating overthe communication network 50 to various third parties. The photofinisher90 also includes an appropriate printer 104 for printing of images thathave been scanned onto an appropriate media, for example, photographicpaper, thermal media, etc. It is, of course, understood that any otherappropriate output device can be provided for producing prints or otherproducts incorporating images that have been obtained from the scanningof the developed photographic film 92.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a flow chart of one method ofthe operation of the system 200 of FIG. 5. A roll of exposed,undeveloped photographic film 92 provided, for example, in a filmcartridge 93 is forwarded to the photofinisher 90 (Step 106) inassociation with the user. In the next step 108, the photofinisher 90develops the film 92 and scans the developed images for producing highresolution image files that are temporarily stored on memory device 98with metadata identifying the photofinisher 90 as the retailer orseparably as the retailer and photofinisher as discussed earlier. Thephotofinisher 90, in the embodiment illustrated, further associates anunique identification (ID) 110 that is provided on the film 92 with thescanned images and hence, the high resolution image files. Such anunique ID 110 can also be attached to a user order in a variety of ways.For example, but not by way of limitation, the unique ID 110 can beassociated with a photofinishing envelope (not shown), the filmcartridge 93, pre-exposed on the film 92 itself, by random assignment,or any other appropriate way to associate the film 92 and the user.Unique ID 110 can be appended as metadata to the high resolution imagemedia file upon scanning to associate the digital image with the user.Commercially available film products manufactured by the Eastman KodakCompany under the Advantix™ brand are examples of film cartridges 93having the unique ID 110 associated with them.

Continuing on with FIG. 6, these high resolution media files and uniqueID 110 are transferred via communication network 50 to the serviceprovider 80 in association with the user at an appropriate time (step112). Following receipt of the high resolution media files, serviceprovider 80 (step 114) checks to see if the unique ID 110 has beenregistered with specific processing instructions. A more completedescription on one method of registering film with a service providercan be found in co-pending U.S. patent application entitled A Kit ForOrganizing A Plurality Of Images, Ser. No. 09/470,938, filed Dec. 22,1999 by Dale Fredrick McIntyre and Joseph Anthony Manico which is herebyincorporated in its entirety. If the photographic film 92 is notregistered, service provider 80 creates low resolution copies of each ofthe newly received high resolution files in step 118. These lowresolution copies are then added to the user's existing low resolutionimage collection in step 120. The high resolution files are temporarilystored at the service provider 80 until they are transferred to theuser's high resolution image collection on the user computer 10 at thenext routine communication interval or non-scheduled communication (step122). In an alternate embodiment of steps 118, 120 and 122, serviceprovider 80 can store the high resolution image files for an orderingperiod that makes ordering of image goods and/or services by the user orauthorized third parties more convenient. The storing of the highresolution image files for the ordering period is in addition totransferring the high resolution files to the user computer 10. Afterthe expiration of the ordering period, the high resolution image filesare automatically converted to low resolution copies and added to theuser's low resolution image collection. This would be particularlyuseful to a service provider, in that, initial interest in obtainingprints or other image products/services usually occurs in a relativelyshort time after obtaining the image. Thus, making the need to obtainthe high resolution file from user computer 10 unnecessary during thisordering period.

If the photographic film 92 is registered, instructions associated withthe registration are carried out by the service provider 80 in step 116.These instructions can include for example, but not by way oflimitation, the directions to print, automatically transmit to variousthird parties and deliver various image-based goods and/or services tothe user or third parties designated in the instructions. Third partiesthat have similar arrangements for low resolution image mediacollections maintained by service provider 80 will receive theautomatically transmitted low resolution image media files as additionsto their low resolution image media collections. At the next routinecommunication interval for these third parties, these low resolutionimage media files are automatically transferred to the third parties'computers 16. Software running on each third party computer 16 causesnewly transferred image media files to be presented to the third partywithout needing to use the process of attaching/detaching operationsfound in traditional electronic mail protocols. This process will bediscussed in further detail with respect to FIG. 11 later in thisspecification.

After completing the registered instructions, service provider 80creates low resolution copies of each of the newly received highresolution image files in step 118. These low resolution copies are thenadded to the user's existing low resolution image collection in step120. The high resolution image files are temporarily stored at theservice provider 80 until they are transferred to the user's highresolution image collection on the user computer 10 at the next routinecommunication interval. It is of course to be understood that anyassociated digital files can also be communicated to user computer 10.

Another method of operating the system 200 is shown as a flow chart inFIG. 7. In this embodiment, photographic film 92 associated with theuser is forwarded to the photofinisher 90 in step 124. The photofinisher90 in step 126 processes the photographic film 92, reads the unique ID110, scans the developed film images, forms high resolution image filesand temporarily stores them in memory device 98 associated with the userand the photofinisher 90 as discussed earlier. In step 128,photofinisher 90 establishes a communication connection viacommunication network 50 to service provider 80 and passes the unique ID110 to service provider 80 to see if the photographic film 92 has beenregistered and has instructions pertaining to the ordering of imagerelated goods and/or services. If the photographic film 92 had beenregistered, photofinisher 90 carries out the instructions (step 130)which can by way of example, but not limitation, include printingadditional copies of the high resolution image media files to beforwarded to a third party via delivery vehicle 68.

If the photofinisher 90 has been determined to be an authorized thirdparty in step 132, the photofinisher 90 can transfer (step 134) the highresolution image files from the memory device 98 to the user computer10. The updated high resolution media image collection on user computer10 will be detected and the appropriate low resolution image filesformed and transferred to the low resolution image media collectionmaintained by service provider 80 at the next routine communicationinterval. At this point, the photofinisher 90 reaches the conclusion ofthe activity in step 136.

If the photofinisher 90 is not an authorized third party (step 132),photofinisher 90 transfers the high resolution digital image files tothe service provider 80 (step 138). The service provider 80 then createslow resolution image file copies of each high resolution digital imagefile (step 140), adds them to the low resolution image media collectionassociated with the user (step 142) and transfers the high resolutiondigital image files to the user computer 10 (step 144) at the nextcommunication. Optionally, after step 138, service provider 80 canadditionally implement the steps marked at point “A” illustrated in FIG.9 to the conclusion of that flow chart. These additional steps, as shownby FIG. 9, compare the newly digitized and transferred high resolutionimage files with the content identifiers for the automatic routing ofand adding information to form image media files based on identifiedcontent within the high resolution image files.

The flow chart of FIG. 8 shows another method for sharing of the mediacollection wherein the user has provided information regarding thecontent of the files to be shared using software operable on usercomputer 10. The information has been stored as metadata associated withthe image file within the high resolution image media collection on theuser computer 10 or storage drive 14. In step 148, a connection isautomatically established between service provider 80 and the usercomputer 10. Optional step 149 reflects system 200 permitting the userto turn “on” or “off” the feature of automatically routing an imagemedia file to a third party. If the autoroute feature is turned off, therest of this flow chart doesn't apply, ending the process in step 162.

Continuing at step 150, service provider 80 determines if a new mediafile has been added to the high resolution image media collection on theuser computer 10. Upon finding new high resolution image media files,service provider 80 examines the metadata associated with the new highresolution image media file for specific sharing metadata at step 152.For example, a high resolution image media file that is a still image of“John” has been annotated by the user as “John”. In the user's suppliedaccount information with service provider 80, “John” has been correlatedto an electronic mail address as john.doe@service.com. Sharing thisimage media file (step 158) causes an electronic mail message to begenerated and forwarded to john.doe@service.com. Alternatively, “John”also has an account and low resolution image media collection withservice provider 80. Sharing (step 158) in this alternative example, isaccomplished by a direct file transfer from the low resolution imagemedia collection of the user to the low resolution image mediacollection of “John”. Intermediate steps 154 and 156, allow serviceprovider 80 to aggregate multiple image media files to be shared withthe same third party. After sharing the image media files in accordancewith the examined metadata, the new image media files within the highresolution image media collection are updated (step 160) with themetadata of which third party they were shared with.

Turning now to FIG. 9, another method for the sharing of and addingnon-image information to image media files is shown as a flow chartwherein system 200 analyzes the content of the image media files andautomatically shares those image media files with authorized thirdparties in accordance with instructions stored at service provider 80 inassociation with the user. System 200 additionally stores informationassociated with recognized content as metadata with the image mediafiles. Beginning with connecting to user computer 10 in step 166, system200 checks the high resolution image media collection for new addedfiles (step 168). If no new files have been added, the current processends in step 184. Upon finding new files (step 168), the computer system86 of service provider 80 loads user content identifiers (step 170) fromrelational databases 88 associated with the user. Continuing on withstep 172, computer system 86 processes the newly added files against theuser content identifiers in accordance with the aforementioned US patentapplication of John R. Squilla and Dale Fredrick McIntyre, Ser. No.09/640,938, previously discussed. The processed high resolution imagefiles with recognized content have metadata appended to them asdetermined by the content identifiers. Steps 174, 176 and 178iteratively examine the processed image files for recognized content,add the information associated with the recognized content as metadataand create a sharing image media file that can include a plurality ofthe processed image files to be shared with a single third party. Thesharing file is sent to a third party identified by the associatedcontent identifier in step 180 following which, the image files have“sent to” metadata stored in association with the specific image file(step 182) both in the low resolution image media collection stored atthe service provider 80 and the high resolution image media collectionstored in the user computer 10 or storage device 14.

FIG. 10 is a partial view of the display screen 204 of user computer 10wherein a representative image 206 of the high resolution image mediafile is displayed. Dotted line “L” indicates selected image contentidentifier and results from an action taken by software running on theuser computer 10 in response to a user acting with a selection devicesuch as a computer mouse or in response to an algorithm for identifyingcontent. The selected image content identifier forms the image icon 202as shown by FIG. 10 b which is a form of content identifier.

Turning now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a flow chart for operatinganother aspect of system 18 and modified system 200. Beginning in step250, service provider 80 establishes a connection with third partycomputer 16 over communication network 50 for the purposes oftransferring low resolution image media files sent to the third party bythe user. After establishing a working connection, service provider 80downloads the low resolution image media files to third party computer16 (step 252) which detects the newly shared low resolution image mediafiles, (step 254) and launches a low resolution image media file browsersuch as standard slide show software (step 256) thus eliminating theneed to detach an image media file from an e-mail message and launch animage viewing application.

Turning now to FIG. 12, a flow chart illustrates the process of trackingan individual low resolution image media file associated with a userwhen it is used by an authorized third party for producing image basedgoods and/or services and awarding loyalty points to the user. Beginningwith step 228, an authorized third party places an order for image basedgoods and/or services with service provider 80 based on a low resolutionimage media file shared by the user. The authorized third party alsoprovides a form of electronic payment such as a credit card to serviceprovider 80 in a manner well understood in the art for electroniccommerce transactions. Service provider 80 needs the high resolutionimage media file to forward to fulfillment provider 70. In step 230,service provider 80 determines the user who shared the low resolutionimage media file that the third party is using to place an image basedorder. This can be accomplished by looking at the metadata associatedwith the low resolution image media file as discussed earlier.

Continuing with step 232, the service provider 80 determines if the usercomputer 10 associated with the low resolution image media file isconnected to the communication network 50. If user computer 10 is notavailable, the service provider 80 places a request (step 242) for theassociated high resolution image media file with the account manager 84for retrieval at the next routine communication interval indicated bythe dotted line “M”. Optionally, service provider 80 can send an e-mailmessage to the user to alert him/her that a high resolution image mediafile is required to fulfill an order. In yet another method ofnotification, service provider 80 can send an automated phone message tothe user instructing him/her to make user computer 10 available. Whenthe user computer 10 is operably connected to the communication network50, the associated high resolution image media file is retrieved andforwarded to the fulfillment provider 70 in step 234. The user's accountis then updated with loyalty points (step 236) assigned as a result ofthe transaction of the third party. The loyalty points can be assignedas a function of a dynamic look-up table managed by service provider 80.For example, a 4×6 hard copy print might earn 10 loyalty points, analbum page 100 points and a Compact Disc (CD) 200 points and so on andso forth for other goods and/or services that can be offered by serviceprovider 80 or fulfillment provider 70. The loyalty points can bedynamically adjusted by the service provider 80 in response to marketconditions or levels of user orders. Similarly, new products might beoffered with a temporary higher level of loyalty points to encouragetheir trial and use.

Fulfillment provider 70 completes the order placed by the third partyand delivers the image based goods and/or services in step 238. If thethird party has a similar arrangement for a low resolution image mediafile collection with service provider 80, account manager 84 assignsloyalty points (step 240) to the account of the third party based onthis order. At the completion of the order, service provider 80distributes revenues (step 244) collected from the third party to thoseproviders associated with the developing, scanning, processing, printingetc. where such providers have contributed to the production of theordered goods and/or services. An example of revenue distributionamongst various contributing providers is illustrated in the table ofFIG. 13. If the service provider 80 also completes the fulfillment ofthe ordered goods, then the service provider 80 earns the designatedpercentage “D” that would normally have been distributed to fulfillmentprovider 70. A retail store, for example, could process, print and scannegatives earning the combined designated percentages of “B” and “C” ofthe revenue collected by service provider 80. It is of course to beunderstood that the amount of percentages can be any desired value.

Turning now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a process for restoringdata structure information for high resolution image files stored onstorage device 14 in the event of a user device malfunction. Beginningin step 260, the user has received a disk read error while trying toview or otherwise use an image from the high resolution image mediacollection stored on storage device 14. Setting a disk drive serviceflag (step 262), the user is asked (step 264) by software running on theuser computer 10, if they desire to back up the high resolution imagecollection onto removable storage media prior to servicing themalfunctioning disk drive. The user optionally can choose (step 266) toback up the high resolution image media collection at home onto astorage device operably connected to user computer 10 or via serviceprovider 80 uploading all of the high resolution image files thatweren't previously backed up. In step 272, the user has chosen to backup the high resolution image media files at home whereby softwarerunning on user computer 10 causes the appropriate high resolution imagemedia files to be written to removable storage media supplied by theuser. If backing up the high resolution image media files at home is notpossible, then the user can request service provider 80 to perform thistask in exchange for a service fee. At a convenient time, serviceprovider 80 uploads (step 268) all the high resolution image media filesnot previously backed up. Continuing with step 270, service provider 80writes the uploaded high resolution image media files to an appropriateremovable media which was previously agreed to by the user. Aftercompleting the writing and verifying of high resolution image mediafiles, service provider 80 causes the written removable media to be sentto the user and deletes (step 270) the uploaded high resolution imagemedia files. Of course, the user can choose to pay an additional fee andkeep all the high resolution image media files stored at serviceprovider 80. Following the completion of backing up high resolutionimage media files, service provider 80 downloads (step 274) data storageparameters to the user computer 10 which are updated at eachcommunication or on a periodic basis. Finally in step 276, softwarerunning on the user computer 10 uses the data storage parameters torestore the integrity of the storage device 14.

Turning now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated another modified system 300made in accordance with the present invention. System 300 is similar tosystem 18 with like numerals indicating like parts and operation aspreviously discussed. In system 300, user computer 10 permits thestorage of high resolution image media files provided from a number ofimage media file sources on storage device 14. High resolution imagemedia files can be provided by photofinisher 90, as previouslydiscussed, which provides high resolution image media files associatedwith the user to service provider 80 for eventual transferring to theuser computer 10. There are many other ways in which image media filesassociated with the user can be provided to service provider 80 fortransfer to the user computer 10. For example, high resolution imagemedia files captured by a cellular wireless electronic (digital) camera23 can be transferred to service provider 80 through a commontelecommunications network 25, as described in commonly-assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/718,018, “SYSTEM AND CAMERA FORTRANSFERRING DIGITAL IMAGES TO A SERVICE PROVIDER” filed by Endsley, et.al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Eachtransfer through the telecommunications network 25 can generate atransfer fee to be charged to the user through service provider 80.Furthermore, service provider 80 can process the high resolution imagemedia file from the cellular wireless electronic camera 23 with respectto content identifiers associated with the user as previously discussedwith respect to FIGS. 1, 10 a and 10 b. Upon matching image content ofthe transmitted high resolution media file with the users contentidentifiers, service provider 80 can send a return message to thecellular wireless camera 23 prompting the user to verify the contentidentified by service provider 80. The verification prompt message canbe displayed on the color LCD image display 332 and the user operatingpush buttons 372–376 shown in FIG. 19 can respond to validate orinvalidate the identified content. Such validation is advantageous whilethe user has just captured the image and his memory of the image contentis still fresh.

Another example in which image media files associated with the user canbe provided to service provider 80 for transfer to the user computer 10is a kiosk 15 such as the Kodak Picture Maker™ kiosk that includes ascanner for producing a high resolution image media file of a hardcopyprint. Connected to the communications network 50, the kiosk 15 can, fora fee, provide high resolution image media files to service provider 80that are eventually transferred to the user computer 10.

In FIG. 16, a process for operating the systems 18, 200 and 300 is shownwhich permits the user to request an extended service in associationwith a particular high resolution image media file. Beginning in step280, the user electronically tags (identifies) a high resolution imagemedia file with an extended service indicia. The extended serviceindicia causes software running on the user computer 10 to retrieve anelectronic form (See FIG. 17) that is associated with the requestedextended service. The electronic form can be stored on the user computer10 as part of a service agreement with service provider 80 or it can beactively retrieved from the service provider 80. In either case, theelectronic form is retrieved and filled out (step 282) by the user. Uponestablishing communication (step 284) either immediately or at theroutine communication interval, service provider 80 determines (step286) if any extended services have been requested. If not, serviceprovider 80 completes the typical processing done at the routinecommunication interval (step 288) as has been previously discussedending the process in step 294. If extended services have beenrequested, service provider 80 uploads (step 290) the completedelectronic form associated with the high resolution image media file.Following this step, service provider 80 executes (step 292) theextended service request as indicated by the instructions on theelectronic form shown in FIG. 17, with the process ending in step 294.

Turning now to FIG. 17, a screen shot 310 of user computer 10 is shownthat includes a visual representation 316 of a high resolution imagemedia file to which an extended service request form is attached. Aninstruction block 312, contains information for the service provider 80to follow in the execution of the requested extended service. In thisexample, the user has indicated that the high resolution image mediafile is to be placed for sale which can be one type of extended serviceoffered by service provider 80. The italicized word “BOAT” can be theresult of the user selecting a word from a list or it can be the resultof applying the user's content identifiers to this specific highresolution image media file. Information block 314 includes keywordsthat can be input by the user and useful in the execution of therequested extended service. Other extended services include posting thevisual representation 316 of the high resolution image media file to awebsite that uses such visual representations 316 to aid in the sellingof goods or to aid in the finding of a seller of such goods.

Another example of an extended service is the use of the high resolutionimage media file to represent an item insured by a third party such asan insurance business. In the event that an insurance business has beencontracted with by the user to insure specific household belongings,high resolution image media files help the user get insurance rates thatreflect the actual belongings depicted in the high resolution imagemedia file. The user provides specific information about the specifichousehold belonging depicted by the high resolution image media filesuch as manufacturer, purchase price, purchase date, serial number andany other information necessary to providing insurance on such abelonging. Additionally, the user provides authorization to serviceprovider 80 for the third party insurance business to view specific highresolution image media files. Tagging a high resolution image media filefor adding to an insured item list or deleting from an insured item listpermits an automatic update of insurance coverage and can result in anadded fee or credit applied to the user by the third party insurancebusiness. Service provider 80 can charge a fee from a third partybusiness for permitting the third party business such as an insurancebusiness to view image media files depicting household objects belongingto the user. An additional third party, such as the retailer of the itemsold, can be used for validation of ownership and sale of the particularitem.

Another example of extended services includes a service performed by anon-professional third party user or peer (a free lance individual)operable in the systems 18, 200 and 300 by the processes shown in FIGS.16 and 18. The process of FIG. 18 describes an example of a detailedprocess used by service provider 80 in step 292 of FIG. 16. In thiscase, the user has provided unlimited third party authorized access to ahigh resolution image media file or group of high resolution image mediafiles on the extended service request form for the purposes of restoringa scanned high resolution image file created from an older, damagedhardcopy print. Information on the extended service request form caninclude an amount of money that requesting user is willing to pay inexchange for the service. In lieu of money, account manager 84 canprovide account credits to the third party providing the service. Theseaccount credits can be used when the third party requests extendedservices from other users. Account manager 84 can also provide accountcredits in the form of loyalty points or reduced account fees.

Beginning with step 550, service provider 80 retrieves the highresolution image media file from the user computer 10 and stores thehigh resolution image media file in a memory of computer system 86.While this is the preferred embodiment, the retrieval of the highresolution image media file from user computer 10 need not happen untilafter third party user accepts the service request in step 558.Following in step 552, service provider 80 adds the extended servicerequest form including a low resolution image file to a list of servicerequests on a web page whose access and display is managed by web server82 and account manager 84. Third party users access (step 554) the listof extended service request and decide to accept or not accept anextended service request in step 556. Third party users can counteroffer (step 566) to perform the extended service for terms differingfrom what was originally offered. For example, the third party user canraise the required amount of money from that originally offered tocomplete the service. The user requesting the service can choose toaccept (step 568) the revised terms of service or end the negotiation instep 570. If terms agreed upon, the third party user retrieves (step558) the high resolution image file to perform the service on fromeither service provider 80 or directly from the requesting user byaccessing the high resolution image media file on user computer 10.

The third party user performs (step 560) the extended service requested,which in this example is an image restoration, by using commonlyavailable tools such as Photoshop™ produced by Adobe Systems Inc. Thethird party modified high resolution image media file is converted to alow resolution image file for review by the user requesting the extendedservice. If the user requesting the extended service accepts (step 562)the work of the third party user, service provider 80 assigns (step 564)credits to the third party user less a fee for brokering the service anddebits to the user requesting the extended service with the processending in step 570. Cataloging images is another extended service thatcan be provided by third party users or peers in this manner.

Turning now to FIG. 19, a block diagram of an electronic (digital)camera 23 which captures high resolution image files that are stored onthe removable memory card 350. FIG. 20 depicts a rear view of theelectronic camera 23 of FIG. 19. The electronic camera 23 is powered byrechargeable batteries 344 that connect to power supply 346 whichsupplies power to the camera circuits depicted in FIG. 19. A chargerinput 348 is provided as an external connection (which can be includedas part of interface connection 342) so that the rechargeable batteries344 can be recharged by an external power source. The electronic camera23 includes a zoom lens 352 having zoom and focus motor drives 360 andan adjustable aperture and shutter (not shown). The user composes theimage using the optical viewfinder 341 and the zoom lens control 334 andthen depresses the shutter button 331 to begin capture of a still image.The zoom lens 352 focuses light from a scene (not shown) on an imagesensor 354, for example, a single-chip color CCD image sensor, using thewell-known Bayer color filter pattern. The image sensor 354 iscontrolled by clock drivers 366. The zoom and focus motors 360 and theclock drivers 366 are controlled by control signals supplied by acontrol processor and timing generator circuit 364. The controlprocessor and timing generator circuit 364 receives inputs fromautofocus and auto-exposure detectors 368 and controls a flash 362. Theanalog output signal from the image sensor 354 is amplified andconverted to digital data by the analog signal processing (ASP) andanalog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit 356. The digital data isstored in a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) buffer memory 358 andsubsequently processed by a processor 320 controlled by the firmwarestored in the firmware memory 328, which can be flash ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory (EPROM).

The processed high resolution image file is provided to a memory cardinterface 324 which stores the high resolution image file on theremovable memory card 350. Removable memory cards 350 are one type ofremovable image digital storage medium and are available in severaldifferent physical formats. For example, the removable memory card 350can include memory cards adapted to the Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) card interface standard, as describedin the PC Card Standard, Release 2.0, published by the Personal ComputerMemory Card International Association, Sunnyvale, Calif., September1991. The removable memory card 350 can also be adapted to the CompactFlash interface standard, such as described in the CompactFlashSpecification Version 1.3, published by the CompactFlash Association,Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998, or to the well-known SmartMedia,MemoryStick or SD memory card formats. Other types of removable imagedigital storage media, such as magnetic hard drives, magnetic tape, oroptical disks, can alternatively be used to store the digital images.

The processor 320 performs color interpolation followed by color andtone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image data. Therendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed and stored as a JPEGimage file on the removable memory card 350. The JPEG file uses theso-called “Exif” image format defined in “Digital Still Camera ImageFile Format (Exif)” version 2.1, July 1998 by the Japan ElectronicsIndustries Development Association (JEIDA), Tokyo, Japan. This formatincludes an Exif application segment that stores particular imagemetadata, for example the date and time the picture was captured, thelens f/number and other camera settings and image captions or commentsthat can be selected or entered by the camera user.

The electronic camera 23 also includes a modem 390 connected to an RFantenna 392. The modem 390 is preferably a cellular modem using, forexample CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or TDMA (Time DivisionMultiple Access) technologies. The modem 390 communicates withcommunication network 50 via a wide area cellular network, such as the1900 MHz CDMA network deployed by Sprint PCS in the USA.

An interface connection 342 can be used to connect between an interface322 in the electronic camera 23 and a corresponding camera interface inthe user computer 10. The interface connection 342 may conform to, forexample, the well-known universal serial bus (USB) interfacespecification, or to many other standard interfaces. The interfaceconnection 342 can be used to transfer images from removable memory card350 to the user computer 10. The interface connection 342 can also beused to transfer data from the user computer 10 to firmware memory 328in electronic camera 23. In particular, it can optionally be used totransfer phone numbers, e-mail addresses, Internet URLs, etc. tofirmware memory 328, as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Ser. No.09/004,046 filed Jan. 7, 1998 entitled “NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FORAUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING IMAGES FROM AN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA” toWard et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference.

The graphical user interface displayed on the color LCD image display332 is controlled by mode control 370 and push buttons 372–376 shown inFIG. 19. The user places the mode control 370 in the “capture” positionprior to capturing images. The user places the mode control 370 in the“review” position in order to review the captured images, deleteundesirable images and transfer images via modem 390, using push buttons372–376. An optional microphone 394, connected control processor andtiming generator circuit 364 via audio codec 396, can be used to receivevoice commands, as described in described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 5,737,491 entitled “ELECTRONIC IMAGING SYSTEM CAPABLE OF IMAGECAPTURE, LOCAL WIRELESS TRANSMISSION AND VOICE RECOGNITION” to Allen,et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIG. 21 depicts a flow chart of a method of using the electronic camera23 in order to transfer high resolution image files captured by theelectronic camera 23 to a user's high resolution image collection,automatically e-mail images to one or more people depicted in thecaptured images and order copies of high resolution image files fromfulfillment provider 70. In step 400, the user registers theirelectronic camera 23 with the service provider 80 and providesinformation such as was described earlier in relation to step 30 of FIG.2. In step 402, the service provider 80 provides a service ID andnetwork configuration information which is stored in the firmware memory328 of electronic camera 23. This can be done when the electronic camera23 is purchased or rented from the service provider 80, as described incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/574985 entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IMAGING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES” toWolcott, et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference. This enables the electronic camera 23 to automaticallyconnect to the communications network 50 via modem 390 in order totransfer high resolution image files and control information to theservice provider 80.

In step 404, the user content identifiers described earlier in relationto FIGS. 9–10 are stored in the firmware memory 328 of electronic camera23. This enables the electronic camera 23 to recognize user contentpresent in any captured high resolution image files. In step 406, theuser fulfillment preferences are stored in firmware memory 328 ofelectronic camera 23. These preferences may stored using a serviceaccount information file as described in commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/576288 entitled “METHOD FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZEDPHOTO PRODUCTS OVER A NETWORK” to Parulski, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference. This service account information filecan be created when the user purchases or rents the electronic camera23, in response to user selections of preferred photo products, such asservice prints, album pages and the like, that the user is likely topurchase from the fulfillment provider 70.

Following step 406, the electronic camera 23 is ready to capture highresolution images. In step 408, the user captures a group of highresolution images using the electronic camera 23. The high resolutionimages are processed as described earlier and temporarily stored onmemory card 350. Instep 410, the captured high resolution images areoptionally examined to determine if one or more are recognized asincluding user content, using the user content identifiers provided instep 404. Each user content identifier includes at least one e-mailaddress. In step 412, for each image which has been recognized as havinguser content (e.g. each image including the face of the personcorresponding to image icon 202 in FIG. 10) the images are marked forautomatic transfer to the e-mail address(s) corresponding to therecognized image icon 202. This image marking can be implemented, forexample, by creating a Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) version 1.1“auto transfer” file which includes the e-mail address and the filenames of the images which have been recognized as including the imageicon 202. This auto transfer file is preferably an ASCII text file namedAUTXFER.MRK, in accordance with the DPOF specification.

In step 414, the user optionally reviews the captured high resolutionimages and orders photo products, such as enlargements and album pages,using the captured high resolution image files. The switches 372–376 areused to select high resolution image files to be printed to producethese photo products and the number of copies to be made. In step 416,the electronic camera 23 creates an image utilization file, as describedin commonly-assigned U.S. Ser. No. 09/004,046 filed Jan. 7, 1998entitled “NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTINGIMAGES FROM AN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA” to Ward et. al., the disclosureof which is herein incorporated by reference. This image utilizationfile is preferably an ASCII text file named AUTOPRNT.MRK, in accordancewith the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) specification.

In step 418, the captured high resolution image files and the optionalDPOF auto transfer and print order files are transmitted to the serviceprovider 80 via modem 390 and are temporarily stored at the serviceprovider 80. The transmission begins when the electronic camera 23provides an ID that identifies the user account and the instructionsprovided by the user during the registration process. These instructionsnormally include the address of the user's high resolution collection.The instructions can also include default photo product requests, thatcan be used instead of, or in addition to, the DPOF print order file.For example, the instructions can specify that one 4×6 inch print (10.16cm×15.24 cm) of each uploaded image should be produced and mailed to auser specified address. In this case, the DPOF print order file is usedonly when the user wishes to override this “default” instruction.

In step 420, low resolution copies of each uploaded high resolutionimage file are added to the low resolution image collection associatedwith the ID provided by the electronic camera 23. These low resolutioncopies are normally stored at the service provider 80 so that they canbe accessed by authorized third parties as described earlier in relationto step 44 of FIG. 1.

In step 422, the high resolution image files are transferred from theservice provider 80 to the user's high resolution image collection(normally located on the user computer 10) as described earlier in step120 of FIG. 6. This transfer can occur during the next routinecommunication interval, or during a non-scheduled communication.

In step 424, the high resolution image files are e-mailed to the e-mailaddresses provided in the DPOF AUTXFER.MRK file described earlier inrelation to step 412.

In step 426, the high resolution image files are transferred from theservice provider 80 to the fulfillment provider 70, where they are usedto produce the default photo products defined in the instructionsprovided by the user in step 400, or in the DPOF AUTPRINT.MRK filedescribed earlier in relation to step 416.

After the high resolution image files have been transferred, they nolonger need to be stored by the service provider 80. Alternatively,service provider 80 can store the high resolution image files for afixed period of time such as 90 days to facilitate product reordering.After such a fixed period, the high resolution image files are convertedto low resolution image files and added to the user's low resolutioncollection as previously discussed.

Turning now to FIG. 22, there is shown a flow chart which shows anothermethod of operation of the system of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the lowresolution images are maintained on user computer 10, rather than beingprovided by the service provider 80. In step 500, the user establishesan account with the service provider 80 and establishes account dataflow parameters, as described earlier in reference to step 30 of FIG. 2.In step 502, the user identifies an image collection, as describedearlier in reference to step 32 of FIG. 2.

In step 504, a low resolution image database is created on the usercomputer 10, so that low resolution images can be provided to authorizedthird parties. In step 506, an on-line connection is established usingCSP 20 and communication network 50, between the user's home computer 10and the service provider 80, to indicate that the user is now on-line.In step 508, the service provider 80 determines which, if any,authorized third parties are currently on-line and wish to view theimages in the low resolution image collection of the user. In step 510,the low resolution images are transferred from the user computer 10 tothe computer 16 of the authorized third party using CSP 20,communication network 50 and CSP 22. In step 512, the third party viewsthe low resolution images transferred from the user computer 10 on thethird party computer 16. In step 514, the third party requests the highresolution version of one or more low resolution images transferred fromthe user computer 10. In step 516, the high resolution images aretransferred from the user computer 10 to the third party computer 16.

Turning now to FIG. 23, there is shown a flow chart which shows anothermethod of operation of the system 18 of FIG. 1 or the system 200 of FIG.5. In step 520, an authorized third party views the low resolutionimages of a first user. These low resolution images may be provided bythe service provider 80, as described in relation to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6,or may be provided from the first user computer 10, as described inrelation to FIG. 21. In step 522, the authorized third party selects oneor more low resolution images from the first user's collection, forinclusion in a photo product, such as a photo album or a photo montage,containing numerous pictures. Such pictures might, for example, be ofthe same event attended by the first user, a second user and anauthorized third party.

In step 524, the authorized third party views the low resolution imagesof the second user. Again, these low resolution images may be providedby the service provider 80, as described in relation to FIG. 2 and FIG.6, or may be provided from the second user's computer, as described inrelation to FIG. 21. In step 526, the authorized third party selects oneor more low resolution images from the second user's collection, forinclusion in the same photo product.

In step 527 the authorized third party places an order with thefulfillment provider 70, via service provider 80, for the photo product,which includes the selected images from the first user's collection andthe second user s collection. In step 528, high resolution versions ofthe images selected by the authorized third party are transferred fromthe first user's high resolution collection to the fulfillment provider70. This may occur immediately if the first user is currently on-line,or at a later time at the next routine communication interval. In step530, high resolution versions of the images selected by the authorizedthird party are transferred from the second user's high resolutioncollection to the fulfillment provider 70. In step 532, the fulfillmentprovider 70 produces and ships the photo product selected by theauthorized third party to the designated address provided by theauthorized third party and bills the authorized third party for thephoto product. In step 534, loyalty points are assigned to the first andsecond users, for providing the digital images which were used in thephoto product.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

PARTS LIST 10 User computer 12 Electronic camera 14 Storage drive 15Kiosk 16 Third party computer 18 System 20 Communication serviceprovider (CSP) 22 Communication service provider (CSP) 23 Digital Camera25 Telecommunications network 30 Step 32 Step 34 Step 36 Step 38 Step 40Step 42 Step 44 Step 46 Step 50 Communication network 52 Step 54 Step 56Step 58 Step 68 Transportation vehicle 70 Fulfillment Provider 72 Webserver 74 Commerce manager 75 Fulfillment manager 76 Computer system 78Digital printer 80 Service provider 82 Server 84 Account manager 86Computer system 88 Regional database(s) 90 Photofinisher 92 Photographicfilm 93 Film cartridge 94 Film processor 96 Film scanner 98 Memorydevice 100 Computer 102 Server 104 Printer 106 Step 108 Step 110 Uniqueidentification (ID) 112 Step 114 Step 116 Step 118 Step 120 Step 122Step 124 Step 126 Step 128 Step 130 Step 132 Step 134 Step 136 Step 138Step 140 Step 142 Step 144 Step 148 Step 149 Step 150 Step 152 Step 154Step 156 Step 158 Step 160 Step 162 Step 166 Step 170 Step 172 Step 174Step 176 Step 178 Step 180 Step 182 Step 184 Step 200 System 202 Imageicon 204 Display screen 206 Image 228 Step 230 Step 232 Step 234 Step236 Step 238 Step 240 Step 242 Step 244 Step 250 Step 252 Step 254 Step256 Step 260 Step 262 Step 264 Step 266 Step 268 Step 270 Step 272 Step274 Step 276 Step 280 Step 282 Step 284 Step 286 Step 288 Step 290 Step292 Step 294 Step 300 System 310 Screen shot 312 Instruction block 314Information block 316 Visual representation 320 Processor 322 Interface324 Memory card interface 328 Firmware memory 331 Shutter button 332 LCDimage display 334 Zoom lens control 341 Optical viewfinder 342 Interfaceconnection 344 Rechargeable batteries 346 Power supply 348 Charger unit350 Removable memory card 352 Zoom lens 354 Image sensor 356 Circuit 358Buffer memory 360 Focus motors 362 Flash 364 Timing generator circuit366 Clock drivers 368 Auto-exposure detectors 370 Mode control 372 Pushbuttons/switches 373 Push buttons/switches 374 Push buttons/switches 375Push buttons/switches 376 Push buttons/switches 390 Modem 392 RF antenna394 Microphone 396 Audio codec 400 Step 402 Step 404 Step 406 Step 408Step 410 Step 412 Step 414 Step 416 Step 418 Step 420 Step 422 Step 424Step 426 Step 428 Step 500 Step 502 Step 504 Step 506 Step 508 Step 510Step 512 Step 514 Step 516 Step 520 Step 522 Step 524 Step 526 Step 527Step 528 Step 530 Step 532 Step 534 Step 550 Step 552 Step 554 Step 556Step 558 Step 560 Step 562 Step 564 Step 566 Step 568 Step 570 Step

1. A system for managing digital images, comprising: a plurality of usercomputers each having an image storage device having at least one imagefile of an image, said user computers identifying at least oneauthorized third party that may have access to said at least one imagefile; and a server for allowing controlled access to said at least imagefile stored on said user image storage device, said server capable ofcommunicating with said plurality of user computers over a communicationnetwork and receiving the identified at least one authorized third partythat may access to the stored image file wherein said identification ofsaid at least one authorized third party occurs by providing a lowresolution image file of said image to said at least one authorizedthird party, said server controlling access to said at least one digitalfile on said computer when said at least one authorized third partyplaces a request to said server to access said at least one image filewhereby said server first accesses said at least one image file on saiduser computer and then forwards said at least one image file to saidthird party without any further authorization by said user.
 2. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image fileincludes an electronic address for identifying that image came from saiduser computer.
 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said third partypays an access fee for use and/or down loading of said image from saiduser image file.
 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said requestof said third party comprises using said low resolution image forrequesting access to a high resolution image file of said image.
 5. Amethod for controlling access to digital image files on a user computerby third parties over a communication network by server of a, comprisingthe steps of: receiving authorization by said server from said useridentifying a third party that may access to digital images stored onsaid user computer, wherein said identification of said at least oneauthorized third party occurs by providing a low resolution image fileof said image to said at least one authorized third party; allowingcontrolled access by said server to said digital images stored on saiduser computer, said server capable of communicating with a plurality ofuser computers; controlling access to said at least one digital imagefile stored on said user computer by said server when said serverreceives a request from said authorized third party to access to said atleast one image file whereby said server first accesses said at leastone image file and then forwards said at least one image file to saidthird party without any further authorization by said user.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 5 wherein said identification of said at least oneauthorized third party occurs by providing a low resolution image fileof said image to said at least one authorized third party.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 6 wherein said request of said third party comprisesusing said low resolution image for requesting access to a highresolution image file of said image.
 8. A method according to claim 5wherein said third party pays an access fee for use and/or down loadingof said image from said user image file.
 9. A computer software productfor managing digital images stored on a user computer, said softwareproduct comprising a computer readable storage medium having a computerprogram which when loaded into a server causes the server to perform thefollowing steps of: receiving authorization by said server from saiduser identifying a third party that may access to digital images storedon said user computer, wherein said identification of said authorizedthird party occurs by providing a low resolution image file of saidimage to said at least one authorized third party; allowing controlledaccess by said server to said digital images stored on said usercomputer, said server capable of communicating with a plurality of usercomputers controlling access to said at least one digital image filestored on said user computer by said server when said server receives arequest from said authorized third party to access to said at least oneimage file whereby said server first access said at least one image fileand then forwards said at least one image file to said third partywithout any further authorization by said user.